Tag: Appointments

Need an Advisor? Just Come in!

This week, the Advisement Services Center is open for walk-ins from 8:30am to 5pm. We are not taking any appointments, just come in, swipe in at the kiosk, and an advisor will meet with you.

If you need help with finding a resource; with adding, swapping, or dropping a class; with finding a class; or some other general question, have no fear. Our Peer Advisors are here!

Our Peer Advisors will be here to serve you this week, at the following times:

Tuesday – 10am to 11:30am; 12pm to 5pm

Wednesday – 9am to 5pm

Thursday – 10am to 11:30am; 12:30pm to 5pm

Friday – 9am – 12:30pm

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Credit available for RSSW 190 – 1 Credit 35 Hours of ServiceOn Wednesday, April 18, UAlbany’s Project MyStory and Skribblers will host a storytelling conference for a 5th grade class from our local community. This conference will focus on identity. The children are quite excited! We are seeking volunteers to prepare the storytelling “stations” and to work with the students on the day of the conference. If you are interested in participating, please contact Rachel Moody at rsmoody@albany.edu.

From Zero Point Five to Hero

All throughout high school I would have considered myself a certified slacker. Procrastination is one of my biggest weaknesses and is something I have struggled with my whole schooling career, including now. The idea of doing school work days before it was due didn’t appeal to me much especially if there was something better I could be doing with my time. The ticking hours before a deadline was my motivation to power through an assignment or study for a test. In spite of this, I wasn’t always handing in quality work, rushing to finish in time. I knew I could do better if I tried, but my laziness pulled me into doing the bare minimum. Due to my good memory and test taking skills I was able to slide by in high school despite missing home works and handing in assignments late. I often think that if I had put the effort into my high school classes that I put into my work now, I would be going to Harvard. One of the biggest challenges a student experiences when transitioning into college is the work load.

“A 0.5 was the numberI read to my parents when
they asked about my GPA.”

When I arrived here, I didn’t realize how important it was to do all assignments, to go to all classes, and to study for all tests in advance. I would miss an assignment and brush it off, thinking it wouldn’t impact my grade THAT much. There was one time I missed a test because I didn’t feel like leaving bed. It’s just one test right? My attitude towards college school work reflected that of high school. I didn’t even realize I was so far behind in school until I returned home at the end of the semester and received my grades. A 0.5 was the number I read to my parents when they asked about my GPA. I felt like a complete failure letting my parents down. I had to beg for a second chance for weeks as my parents weren’t going to let me go back the following semester. By the time I finally convinced them to let me return my mind was set that I had to take my education seriously. It took a little time to figure out the best ways to perform in school but with a little hard work my grades slowly improved. The best advice I can give any new students is to not fall behind. It’s been really tough digging myself out of the hole I was in and all because of a mistake I made one semester. Although this experience was a setback it’s taught me a lot about myself and what I am capable of doing if I put my mind to something.

Here are some tips on how to stay on top of your work I’ve learned through my personal struggle with school.

Go to class. I can’t stress how important this is. Even if there’s no attendance and even if you really don’t want to go, push yourself to. When you go to class and pay attention to what is being taught it makes easier to study because you actually learned what you’re about to take a test on. Also going to class gives you the opportunity to meet other students in the class and it’s always beneficial to have a friend in a class. You can study the material together and help each other learn the subject if one of you are confused.

Don’t cram. Putting off studying till the last minute is setting yourself up for failure. When you are rushed you don’t take the time to fully understand all of the material as you are more focused getting through it all. Study throughout the week a little bit at a time and save yourself from sitting in the library for hours the night before a test. This is the same for papers and other assignments. You’re more likely to get a good grade on a paper if it’s done correctly and well developed.

Go to office hours. If you are confused with something that you are learning stop by office hours and talk to your professors. They are there to help you and they really want. With how big UAlbany is it’s easier understand something one on one instead of in a lecture hall filled with hundreds of people.

Utilize the library. I know the library isn’t the most appealing place but even if you go for a short amount of time you’re more likely to get all your work done there than anywhere else. It’s also reassuring to know that the people around you are also working hard.

Practice your study habits. Every person learns things in their own way. Sometime you don’t know which way works best for you unless you try different things. There many different studying methods from everything from a quizlet to flashcards, or even making up songs in your head.

College is only 4 years and it’s hard to lose sight of school with everything going on around you. It’s important to enjoy this time of your life because it will only happen once but it’s also important to work hard for your future.

Welcome New and Continuing Danes!

We begin this last week of orientation season with a solar eclipse! How fitting that this wonder is taking place during the week that you are about to embark on, or continue on, a path that will alter your lives, and likely the lives of many others. In you, lies great hope and wonder. We, in the Advisement Services Center, are here to help you form your goals and to help you to reach them. We are here to push you, should you begin to lose momentum, to encourage you, when you think that you cannot go on, and to cheer for you when you have successes. Comments are encouraged and appreciated.

Here are some announcements about making appointments with an advisor in our office:

This Week:
Our last round of Summer Orientations takes place this week and we are looking forward to meeting with our New Danes. If you have a question for your academic advisor, please e-mail them.They will be wrapped up in orientation and may not be able to meet with you in-person, until the first week of classes.

The First Week of Classes through September 5:
During the first week of classes through Tuesday September 5, every advisor in the Advisement Services Center meets with students on a first-come, first-served basis. We will be open M-F, 8:30 am – 5 pm. If you need assistance just come in!If your advisor is in our office, make sure to select “Walk-in for My Advisor” at the kiosk, and you will be put on the list to see your advisor. ​ If you have a general question and/or your advisor in not in our office, you select “Meet with ANY advisor” at the kiosk. Our Peer Advisorswill also be available to assist you. Continue reading “Welcome #UAlbany Danes – Fall 2017”→

Before you S/U or W, you should speak to an advisor. If your advisor is not available, see the advisor-on-duty in our office. The Advisor-on-Duty is available to students of all majors, Monday-Friday, 1 pm – 5 pm.

If you have a general question about anything above, ask us in the comments below!